Children's Fable

Are you sitting comfortably, children? Because it's a long tale..... Then I shall begin. Arthur was a Mason, which in case you hadn't known is a man who sands and chisels, making shapes from out of stone. From animals to flowers there is nothing he can't make and will make a building magical, however long it takes. Now, Arthur worked on tall buildings, Cathedrals and towers he had no fear of heights and he could work up there for hours as the birds flew round below him and the sun shone up above he just chipped and hammered merrily doing something that he loved. This day upon a tower on the north side green with moss he stood upon his scaffolding beside the Church's cross and facing him a gargoyle like an Angel, but a beast that could have done with a good wash and shave at very least. So Arthur started cleaning it and giving it a scrape when suddenly it's eyes opened and mouth began to gape To say that Arthur got a fright, well he did lose his grip but the ropes around his waist and chest made sure he didn't slip. As Arthur got his balance, thinking he had gone insane the Gargoyle hissed ' How good it feels for me to breathe again, a prisoner of time no more, chained by the centuries, now chisel round my wings so I may finally be free' Well, Arthur swallowed hard and said 'But if I let you go, the wall will have a massive hole and everyone will know, that it was me responsible for that big gaping void and I know that they'll be angry and I'll end up unemployed!' 'No matter', spake the Gargoyle 'if you would just let me finish, for on the moment I'm released I'll grant you just one wish. Anything that you desire within this universe long life, good health just name your price, and I shall fill your purse' 'Then so be it' said Arthur ' I'll agree to your demand' and he started fiercely chiselling in a cloud of dust and sand until with one last hammer chisel blade let out a ring and the gargoyle raised it's head and slowly unfolded it's wings. One flap and it had risen perching high upon the tower 'Name your price and I'll keep my word, for it be in my power' 'Then here's my wish' said Arthur 'by your promise as you swear' ' I wish the price for your release, to be a millionaire' The Gargoyle paused, then bowed it's head near touching Arthur's chin ' As you command' it's opal eyes now glittered with it's grin It raised it's long neck skyward bought it's wing tips up and round, then smashed them down together with an awful crashing sound. The Church tower it rumbled and the bell rang as it quaked the scaffolding around it started violently to shake then one by one the poles gave way the wood split all around and finally collapsed sending poor Arthur to the ground. His workmates all ran to him as he lay beneath debris and if they had just looked up then well, maybe they would have seen the silhouette with outstretched wings that cackled overhead as off it flew to freedom, with poor Arthur left for dead. In hospital Arthur awoke, after a week or more his body held in plaster and each bit of it real sore. The surgeon came to see him and the news it wasn't good his spine was broke and nothing would be working as it should 'At least' he said 'with all the compensation that you'll get, you should come out of this with, oh, a million, I'll bet'. So the moral of the story, if you don't want to be caught is be careful what you wish for, it may not be what you thought. The end. For contest 'Delightful Children's fable' , sponsor Carol Eastman